August 30, 2005
A WOL Publication

Hello, Writers,

The days are getting shorter, the shadows - longer, and the air has a different feel to it. Fall is coming, and with it, a time of new beginnings. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of JustMarkets and give your writing career a new beginning.

Get more than 500 of the most recent, hand-picked JustMarkets Daily listings at your fingertips. The online access to 1 month of markets up to today now costs just $4.95 (that is even 44% less than original price $8.95). This is one time sale, non recurring, so you pay one time and have the log in information you need to get started sorting through these lucrative, paying markets in less than 24 hours. This special offer is valid until 12th September 2005 and available to first 50 customers only. So don't hesitate, get your access right away!

And now enjoy our bi-weekly newsletter with an article "Article Farms: Are they worth it?" written by Christopher Welsh and all the "markets of the day" from the past 2-weeks at JustMarkets Daily.

So whatever you do, let JustMarkets be a part of your writing life.

Good writing,

Kevin Rux
Publisher of JustMarkets -
a daily digest of the latest and hottest markets listings for writers around.

GUEST ARTICLE

"Article Farms: Are they worth it?"

by Christopher Welsh

Everybody's a writer; at least, it seems that way when spending any appreciable amount of time online. Finding a company without a blog is getting harder that finding a website that doesn't have Google ads. With articles and content appearing on more and more places online, the freelance writer should be asking two questions: "Are the people writing this content making any money?" and "If they are, how can I get a piece of the pie?"

The first answer is, "Yes, mostly." While places abound that will take articles and other content for free, many more are offering something. More writing is good, but why now? Why are companies becoming more willing to part with cash for content?

Blogging is partially responsible for the trend, with short articles sprinkled with data and facts and opinions on everything from who is the best English Lit professor at Duke to summer fashion to Karl Rove's apparent outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame. The ability to load scads of news stories, technical articles, travel guides and anything else people would care to read online at a moment's notice has given companies new ways to stay connected with their consumers.

Google AdSense is another major contributor; the search engine giant's advertising business places unobtrusive text ads on websites who's SEO (Search Engine Optimization) qualities jive with the business's products. Websites such as www.finetuning.com and www.associatedcontent.com appear to exist to make money from AdSense, paying contributors for articles that host advertisements. When browsers come upon the articles, the hope is they will click on an advertisement or two, generating money for the company hosting the article.

The second answer is, "Contact the publishers and companies." One of the first things a freelancer should do when they notice a site that hosts a blog or routinely posts articles is check for a "Submissions" or similar link to find out the facts.

Sites that are centered around AdSense will pay writers anywhere from $1 to $100 for articles on nearly any topic. Before dashing off an article to submit, pay attention to the guidelines posted on these and similar sites; they tell you that articles rich with particular keywords will pay more.

Other companies will add a freelancer to their stable of writers, assigning articles on a work-for-hire basis. They provide content for websites, offering their services for very little money (as low as $7 for a 250 word article; that's less than three cents a word) and passing on most of that fee to the writer. Hoping to snag large contracts and make money with volume production of articles, these sites serve business seeking content to draw potential members and customers to take a look at their web-presence, and hopefully return for future looks.

The good news is, with companies hungry for blogging authors and content writers on just about any topic, the work for writers is increasing. Freelance writing remains a dicey business, with locating paying markets (especially those offering consistent work) often a hit-or-miss proposition.

The bad news is that many article factories seem less concerned with the quality of the content then they do on how SEO it is, or how quickly it is done. Some freelancers have found (as "heard" on a number of forums) that some companies encourage misspellings, to capture those fat-fingered searches.

Finding a company that is willing to pay for work offered on a regular basis is good thing. If a freelancer's goal is much above a few pennies a word, however, they should keep looking; although dashing off a few hundred words occasionally for a bit of pocket money does have its attractions.

Christopher Welsh is a writer; it says so on his hat. In addition to wearing the hat, he enjoys spending the afternoon banging away on his keyboard, working for hire and on spec on projects ranging from gaming supplements for RPGs, to screenplays, to ad copy and novels. The following is a quote from his website, www.christopherwelsh.com:
"While I certainly have my preferences for the types of projects I take on, I also love the process of writing itself—going from an idea, to a concept, to a reality."

Exclusive!!!

WriterOnLine, one of Reader's Digest's top 101 web sites for writers, seeks quality poetry, essays, and short stories. Poetry can be of any type. Will consider stories up to 2500 words, but especially interested in short, short stories. Essays should be up to 1000 words.

Compensation: 1 month subscription to JustMarkets Daily (10$ worth)
Please send submissions to: submissions@writer-on-line.com

MARKETS

August 22
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL WRITER WANTED

Respectable sci-tech news website is seeking for freelance writers to cover technological and scientific breakthroughs and innovations, mostly in the area of hi-tech and nanotechnology, but other sciences could also be considered if the story is remarkable.

We will pay a pre-negotiated fee of $30 - $50 per news or review article depending on the quality of the submission, length (usually not longer than 300-500 words), and usefulness of topic.

A successful candidate must possess good written English and sci-tech background.

If interested, please contact by email for more details.

Compensation: $30 - $50 per news or review article depending on the quality, length and usefulness of topic
Reply to: andrey_zi@hotmail.com

August 20
FREELANCE WRITERS SOUGHT
TELECOMMUTE

We are looking for Freelance writers to write feature articles and press releases for our clients. Our clients are mostly industrial and manufacturing clients. Please visit our website at www.powerpr.com and see samples of our articles posted. If after viewing, you feel you have the skill to write similar articles, send resume and samples.We pay per piece at a rate of 40 cents per word.

Compensation: 40 cents per word
Reply to: Personnel@powerpr.com
Fax: 310-787-1970

August 19
ARTICLES ABOUT LIVING, INVESTING, TRAVELING SOUGHT

INTERNATIONAL LIVING focuses on real-estate investment, retirement and travel outside the United States. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 35K. Monthly. Pays on publication. Publishes ms 2-3 months after acceptance. Buys all rights. Occasionally accepts reprints. Responds 4-5 weeks. Guidelines online at: http://www.internationalliving.com/index.cfm?page=write4us or by email.

CURRENT NEEDS: Issue-length articles of 1500-2000 words on living, investing, and traveling. Also need much shorter 'postcards' of 250-500 words on destinations outside of the US. Briefs pay $25-$50. Issue-length pieces pay more. Submit by email.

Compensation: briefs pay $25-$50. Issue-length pieces pay more.
Reply to: editor@internationalliving.com
Website: http://www.internationalliving.com

August 18
STORIES WANTED

Call for essays for anthology from men whose partners have suffered from Postpartum Depression. 800-1200 words. Anything considered: humour, advice, angst, etc.

Compensation: $25 for accepted articles and by-line.
Reply to: jlgurtler@shaw.ca.

August 17
MAGAZINE IS IN SEARCH OF TWO WRITERS

Vip New York magazine is in search of 2 writers. A man to write a humorous dating column once a month and a woman to write a humorous column on dating once a month as well. No man/woman bashing and spicy is ok but not pornographic. The magazine is a mixture of FHM, MAXIM, ROLLING STONE and MEN'S HEALTH. We are a new NYC based magazine that is distributed throughout long island and the five boroughs. If we like your writing style this would be a paid monthly gig with full writing credit. All candidates must submit some sample articles for review. We are getting ready to start our 4th issue next week.

Compensation: a paid monthly gig and full writing credit
Reply to: lavendare@aol.com

August 16
CHILDREN'S WRITERS WANTED

Experienced children's writers needed for a series of books targeted to 3-8 year olds. You must have experience writing action-adventure stories that capture the imagination of children. The books will be 1,500-2,000 total words. Must have excellent American English and grammar writing skills and a strong desire to help children.
Pay for experienced writers will be $1,000 per book.

Compensation: $1,000 per book
Reply to: tdirby@hotmail.com

August 15
COPYWRITER WANTED

I need a copywriter for a new business site, a one-stop-shop for web based hosting (including design, hosting, and more).
It is for a 2-5 minute voice over presentation on what the site has to offer. A professional voice actress will be using the copy to narrate the presentation.
Please send your background info and price (per word or for the entire presentation) to me via email.

Compensation: negotiable
Reply to: makeithappencrew@yahoo.com

August 13
FREELANCE WRITERS WANTED

Travel/lifestyle magazine is looking for writers or experts in destinations, design, spas, business, family travel, food, hotels, etc. The stories follow a ''best of," list-based format in various categories, i.e. the best British theaters, the best U.S. spas, best beaches, the best coffees, best ski resorts, etc. Unusual, eclectic lists are also welcome, such as wackiest museums, best-tasting root beers. The information does not come from the writer, but from the expert the writer interviews. Stories should include descriptions, color, and history to make the story complete – each approximately 500-600 words. If interested, please send resume and areas of interest.

Compensation: negotiable
Reply to: writers@frankpubs.com

August 12
LOOKING FOR FREELANCE WRITERS

We are currently looking for freelance writers for a new women’s magazine.We are looking for male and female writers with strong and efficient communication skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Salary will be based on the articles chosen. Please forward your resume and a sample of work (published or unpublished).

Compensation: based on the articles chosen
Reply to: joann@getwetmagazine.com

August 11
FREELANCE/RESEARCH WRITERS WANTED
TELECOMMUTE

UNABRIDGED "Living single" Magazine needs writers to spin out creative articles on living single, dating, differences between genders, restaurants, wine review, fashion and beauty, as well as write feature stories. The audience is single, 35-47, median income $42,000, income range 38,000-74,000. At this time, the location is not important as any articles accepted will be published in the mock up version. However, there are opportunities for steady writing assignments with the magazine. All interested parties should send 400-800 word writing samples. Writers will be paid 10.5 cents per word for published articles.

Compensation: 10.5 cents per word for published articles
Reply to: blkimble@yahoo.com

August 10
SCRIPT WRITER SOUGHT

Produced writer (either Sitcom or Feature comedy) needed for two SEPARATE feature projects:
1: a romantic comedy needs a polish.
2: a dramady needs a rewrite.
This is a "work for hire" job.
Please cut and paste your resume and e-mail it to us.
Also, please DO NOT send attachments as they will be deleted without opening.
IMP: We are ONLY looking for produced writers at this time.

Compensation: TBD
Reply to: crystalpublicity@earthlink.net

August 9
WRITERS WANTED TO WRITE SCRIPTS FOR TV PROGRAMS

WireStream Productions is seeking writers to write 30-60 minute scripts for television programs under development. Synopses and character roster provided. Paying $250-500 immediately upon acceptance for completed scripts. Also interested in original screenplays.

Compensation: $250-500 immediately upon acceptance for completed scripts
Reply to: wayne@wirestreamproductions.com
Phone: 417-334-7240
Contact: Wayne Hicks, Executive Producer